David Bowie — Collaborators, Bands & Creative Partnerships
Since launching this project, DavidBowieWorld.com has established direct contact with several of David Bowie’s collaborators to help improve the historical accuracy of these pages. I’m sincerely grateful to George Underwood, Steve Elson, Frank Simms, George Simms and Gerry Leonard for sharing their memories, insights and first-hand experiences.
A
- Adrian Belew – Innovative Guitarist on Bowie’s 1978 World & Sound & Vision Tour
- Alan Dodds – Guitar The Konrads
- Alan Childs – Drums Glass Spider Tour
- Alexander Mcqueen – Fashion Visionary and Creative Collaborator of Bowie
- Alicia Keys – Special charity performance of “Changes”
- Alan Parker – British Session Guitarist in David Bowie’s Studio Orbit
- Alexandria Zahra Jones (Lexi) – Daughter of David Bowie and Iman
- Amanda Lear – aka Dooshenka (The 1980 Floorshow)
- Andy Warhol – Pop Art Icon in David Bowie’s Early 1970s Creative Universe
- Angie Bowie – Creative Catalyst in David Bowie’s Early 1970s Transformation
- Annie Lennox – Freddie Mercury Tribute context
- Arcade Fire – Indie Rock Collective and Late-Career David Bowie Collaborators
- Arnold Corns – The Prototype of Ziggy Stardust (1971–1972)
- Astronettes, The – David Bowie’s Backing Vocal Trio and the Shelved 1973–74 Sessions
- Anthony Hinton – Backing vocals The Diamond Dogs Tour
- Ava Cherry – The Astronettes & solo
- Aynsley Dunbar – drums The 1980 Floor Show
B
- Beckenham Arts Lab – The Creative Hub That Shaped Early David Bowie
- Beckenham Free Festival – Bowie’s performance at the Beckenham Free Festival 1969
- Benny Marshall – Harmonica on ‘Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed’.
- Ben Monder – Jazz Guitarist Connected Blackstar Era
- Berlin Trilogy, The – albums Lodger, Low and Heroes
- Bernard Edwards – The Chic Connection Behind Let’s Dance (1983)
- Bertolt Brecht – Theatrical Radical and a Deep Influence on David Bowie
- Billy Corgan – Influence, Sound and Alternative Legacy
- Billy Gray – Guitar David Bowie and The Buzz
- Bing Crosby – Christmas duet With David Bowie in 1977
- Bob Allen (Robert) – Drummer for The King Bees, one of David Bowie’s earliest bands in 1964
- Bob Dylan – Singer, Musician
- Bob Evens – Saxophone & flute in The Riot Squad
- Bob Geldof – Live Aid context
- Bob Harris – Sounds of the Seventies (1971)
- Bob Solly – Keyboards player in The Manish Boys
- Borneo Horns – Frank Simms, Lenny Pickett, Stan Harrison, George Simms & Steve Elson
- Brett Anderson – Suede
- Brian Eno – Experimental Architect of David Bowie’s Berlin Years
- Brian May – Queen Guitarist and Co-Creator of “Under Pressure” with Bowie
- Brian Molko – Placebo Frontman Influenced by David Bowie
- Brian ‘Croke’ Prebble – Bass guitar, vocals in The Riot Squad
- Brian Duffy – Photographer Behind David Bowie’s Most Iconic Album Covers
- Brian Wilshaw aka Bux – saxophone & flute in David Bowie and The Spiders from Mars
- Buzz, The – David Bowie’s 1966 Backing Band
C
- Carlos Alomar – Guitarist Behind the Sound
- Carmine Rojas – Bassist During Bowie’s Global 1980s Peak
- Catherine Russell – Musician on the Heathen and Reality Tours
- Charlie Sexton – Guest Guitar The Glas Spider Tour
- Charles Mingus – Charles Mingus & David Bowie | Jazz, Freedom and Artistic Risk
- Cher – Singer, actress, television icon
- Cherry Vanilla – MainMan Publicist and Glam Rock Provocateur
- Chuck Hammer – Guitar Synth Pioneer on Ashes to Ashes
- Christine Patton – Backing Vocalist with The Konrads
- Clare Hirst – Saxophonist at Live Aid 1985
- Coco Schwab aka Corinne Schwab (personal assistant)
- Cure, The – Influence, Interview and 1997 Live Collaboration
- Chris Lowe – Pet Shop Boys, Hallo Spaceboy and Bowie Connections
- Christopher Nolan – The Prestige, Nikola Tesla and Bowie’s Screen Charisma
- Clare Shenstone – Artist, Friend, Berlin Witness and Heroes Connection
- Cyrinda Foxe – The Jean Genie dancer, MainMan and Glam-Era Presence
D
- Dana Gillespie – Singer, MainMan Artist and Long-Time David Bowie Collaborator
- Dave Crook – British first drummer in Bowie’s First Band The Konrads
- Dave Hadfield – British second drummer in Bowie’s first band The Konrads
- Dave Howard – Bassist in The King Bees and Early David Bowie Bandmate
- Dave Jay – aka David Bowie
- David Bowie – Davie Jones
- Dave Lebolt – Keyboardist, Synthesizer Specialist and David Bowie’s Serious Moonlight Tour Musician
- David Lynch – Film Director Connected to Bowie’s Artistic Universe
- Dave Grohl – Foo Fighters Frontman and David Bowie Collaborator
- David Richards – Producer, Engineer and Longtime David Bowie Studio Collaborator
- David Gilmour – From Pin Ups to Royal Albert Hall
- David Sanborn – The Saxophone Voice of Bowie’s Soul Years
- David Torn – Guitarist and Sonic Architect (1980s and 1990s)
- Dennis Garcia – keyboards, synthesizer Isolar II – The 1978 World Tour
- Dennis Davis – Drummer of the Berlin Trilogy and David Bowie Collaborator
- Dennis Taylor – David Bowie’s 1965 Mod-Era Guitarist The Lower Third
- Derek Boyes – Keyboards in David Bowie and The Buzz
- Derek Fearnley – Bass guitar in David Bowie and The Buzz
- Derek “Del” Roll – Drummer in The Riot Squad
- Diane Sumler – Backing vocals The Diamond Dogs Tour
- Diedrich Streuper – Bowie Researcher, Archivist and Founder of DavidBowieWorld.com
- Dick Parry – Shared the stage with Bowie during David Gilmour‘s Royal Albert Hall concert on 29 May 2006.
- Donny McCaslin – Donny McCaslin Group
- Dooshenka – aka Amanda Lear (The 1980 Floorshow)
- Doug Rauch – Santana Bassist and David Bowie Diamond Dogs Tour Collaborator
- Duncan Jones – Film Director and Son of David Bowie
E
- Earl Slick – Guitarist, Rock Architect and David Bowie Collaborator
- Emm Gryner – Singer, Keyboard Player and David Bowie Collaborator
- Erdal Kızılçay – Multi-Instrumentalist and David Bowie Collaborator
- Eric Barrett – Tour manager and lighting designer during the Isolar II Tour (1978)
- Eric Sykes – Actor in Absolute Beginners and David Bowie’s 1980s Screen World
- Erin Tonkon – Engineer, Mixer and Blackstar Collaborator of David Bowie
F
- Feathers,The – Live Folk Trio with Bowie ,Hermione Farthingale ,John Hutchinson (1968)
- Francis (Dave) Howard – Bassist The King Bees (1964)
- Frank Black – Pixies Frontman and David Bowie Collaborator
- Frank Simms – Backing Vocalist for David Bowie’s Let’s Dance Era
- Frankie Enfield – Tour manager 1983-2004
- Freddie Burretti – The Designer Behind Early Ziggy Stardust
- Freddie Mercury – Queen Frontman and Contemporary of David Bowie
G
- Gail Ann Dorsey – Bassist, Vocalist & One of David Bowie’s Longest-Serving Musical Collaborators
- Gary Kemp – Spandau Ballet Songwriter and the Influence of David Bowie
- Gary Oldman – Actor and David Bowie Collaborator
- George Underwood – Artist, Illustrator & Lifelong David Bowie Collaborator
- Gene Vincent – Rockabilly Pioneer and a Major Influence on David Bowie
- Giorgio Moroder – Producer of David Bowie’s Cat People
- Glass Spider Tour – Monumental 1987–1988 Stadium
- Geoff MacCormack – Bowie’s Lifelong Friend, Warren Peace and Touring Companion
- George Butcher – Keyboard Player with David Bowie and The Riot Squad
- George Murray – Key collaborator late-1970s Berlin-era work
- George Orwell – ‘1984’ – speculative fiction
- George Simms – Backing Vocalist for David Bowie’s Let’s Dance Era
- Gerry Leonard – Lead Guitarist, keyboards, vocals and Musical Director
- Glastonbury 1971 – Glastonbury Festival 1971
- Glastonbury 2000 – Glastonbury Festival 2000
- Goldie – Producer & Musician
- Graham Rivens – Bassist with The Lower Third (1965–1966)
- Greg Errico – Drummer for David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs Tour
- Gui Andrisano – Backing Vocalist for David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs Tour
- Gus Dudgeon – Producer (Space Oddity) and Early David Bowie Collaborator
- Guy Peellaert – Diamond-Dogs Artwork
- Guy Pratt – Bass Guitarist Who Performed with David Bowie
H
- Harry Maslin – Producer of David Bowie’s Young Americans and Station to Station
- Helena Springs – Backing Vocalist at David Bowie’s Live Aid Performance
- Herbie Flowers – Bass Player on Space Oddity & Diamond Dogs Tour
- Hermione Farthingale – Dancer, Feathers Member and David Bowie Collaborator
- Holly Palmer – Vocalist in David Bowie’s Earthling Era
- Hunt Sales – Drummer, Songwriter and David Bowie Collaborator
- Hype, The – The Birth of the Spiders from Mars
I
- Ian Hunter – Frontman Mott The Hoople and collaboration with Bowie
- Iggy Pop – David Bowie’s Friend, Collaborator and Creative Partner
- Iman Abdulmajid – Supermodel, Actress and Partner of David Bowie
- Ivan Kral –
- Ivo van Hove – Theatre Director and David Bowie Collaborator
J
- Jacques Brell – Belgian Chansonnier and a Major Influence on David Bowie
- Jason Guess – The Astronettes
- Jason Lindner – Keyboardist in the Donny McCaslin Group and Bowie’s Blackstar Era
- Jeff Beck – Hammersmith Odeon Farewell (1973)
- Jennifer Connelly – Actress and David Bowie’s Labyrinth Co-Star
- Joey Arias – Performer and Drag Icon
- John Cale – Rehearsals October 5, 1979, with David Bowie
- John Edwards aka Johnny Flux – Guitarist in The Manish Boys
- John Eager – drums in David Bowie and the Buzz
- John Hutchinson – The Manish Boys, The Buzz, The Riot Squad & duo with Bowie
- John Cambridge – Drummer The Hype
- John Deacon – Queen Bassist and Co-Creator of “Under Pressure” with David Bowie
- John Lennon – “Fame” (1975)
- John ‘Honk’ Lodge: bass guitar early Bowie ?
- John McKay – Guitarist in David Bowie’s Transitional 1967 Band ”The Riot Squad”
- John Peel – British radio broadcaster and journalist
- John Watson – Bassist in David Bowie’s Manish Boys
- Johnny Flux aka John Edwards ,lead guitar in The Manish Boys
- Jon Carin: keyboards, guitar, vocals Royal Albert Hall, London 29-5-2006
K
- Kabuki – Japanese Theatre Influence on David Bowie’s Visual and Performance Style
- Kansai Yamamoto – – Fashion Designer and David Bowie Collaborator
- Kathleen Dorritie aka Cherry Vanilla – MainMan Publicist and Glam Rock Provocateur
- Keith Christmas – Acoustic Guitar on Space Oddity
- Keith Harwood – engineering and mixing
- Ken Fordham: saxophone 1973 David Bowie And The Spiders From Mars
- Ken Scott – Producer Bowie’s Classic Albums
- Kendrick Lamar – Pulitzer-Winning Rap Innovator and Bowie Influence
- Kenneth Pitt – British talent manager and publicist
- Kevin Armstrong – Contributed guitar work to Bowie’s album Tonight
- Kevin Jones – Kevin Jones – Drummer in Bowie’s Hours Era and Late-1990s Tours
- King Bees, The – David Bowie’s First Recording Band (1964)
- Klaus Nomi – The Alien Voice of New Wave
- Konrads , The – David Bowie’s First Theatrical Band(originally “The Kon-rads”)
- Kraftwerk – Electronic Music Pioneers and David Bowie Influence
- Krautrock – The German Avant-Garde Movement That Reshaped David Bowie
L
- Lee Black Childers – Photographer, tour manager
- Lenny Pickett – Saxophones, woodwinds Serious Moonlight
- Les Mighall – Drums in Davie Jones and the Lower Third
- Leslie Conn – David Bowie’s First Manager (1964-1965)
- Lindsay Kemp – British mime artist, dancer, choreographer and teacher whose influence on Bowie
- Little Richard – Rock ’n’ Roll Pioneer and David Bowie Influence
- Live Aid – All-Star Ensemble and David Bowie’s 1985 Performance
- Lou Reed – Songwriter, Velvet Underground Icon and Bowie Collaborator
- Louise Lecavalier – Dancer and choreographer
- Lower Third, The – The most important groups in David Bowie’s pre-fame years
- lulu – David Bowie Collaborator on The Man Who Sold the World
- Luther Vandross – Soul Tour 1974 – Live Ava Cherry & Robin Clark
M
- Manish Boys , The – David Bowie’s Early R&B Band (1964–1965)
- Marc Bolan – Glam Rock Rivals, Friends and Icons
- Marianne Faithfull – Guest Performer on David Bowie’s 1980 Floor Show
- Mary Angela Barnett ‘Angie’ –
- Mark Guiliana – Drummer (Donny McCaslin Group) of David Bowie’s Blackstar Era
- Mark Plati – Producer, Musician and David Bowie Collaborator
- Mark Pritchard – Bassist in The Hype & The Arnold Corns
- Mark Pritchett: guitar The Hype & The 1980 Floor Show
- Martin Scorsese – Film Director (The Last Temptation of Christ)
- Mary Finnigan
- Masayoshi Sukita – Photographer Heroes Image
- Matt Chamberlain – Drummer in David Bowie’s Earthling Era
- Matthew Fisher – Piano (two shows) 1972 David Bowie And The Spiders From Mars
- Matthew Seligman – Bass guitar at Live Aid 1985
- Mercedes Benz – The “Victoria Station” Incident (1976)
- Michael Hodges: drums Sound + Vision Tour
- Michael Kamen: electric piano, Moog synthesizer, oboe, musical director 1974 The Diamond Dogs Tour
- Mick Jagger – “Dancing in the Street” (Live Aid, 1985)
- Mick Ronson – The Hype & The Spiders from Mars
- Mick Wayne – Guitarist on Space Oddity Sessions
- Mick White – Drummer in David Bowie’s Manish Boys
- Mick Woodmansey – The Hype & The Spiders from Mars
- Mick Wills – Bassist The Buzz & The Riot Squad
- Midnight Special, The – aka The 1980 Floor Show
- Mike Garson – The Pianist Who Shaped David Bowie’s Sound 1973-2016
- Mike Moran – British keyboardist, songwriter, and producer Never Let Me Down
- Mike Vernon – Early Production & Blue Horizon Records
- Moby – Producer, Musician and Friend of David Bowie
- Morrissey – Live Duet “Cosmic Dancer” (Inglewood, 1991)
- Mott The Hoople – Glam Rock Band and David Bowie Collaboration
N
- Neil Conti – Drums at Live Aid 1985
- Neil Young – Bridge School Benefit Concert 1996
- Neil Tenant – The pet Shop Boys
- Neville Wills – British Lead Guitarist in David Bowie’s First Band The Konrads
- Nicky Graham – piano 1972 David Bowie And The Spiders From Mars
- Nina Simone – Musical Influence and Artistic Reference for David Bowie
- Nine Inch Nails – Outside Tour (1995–1996)
- Nile Rodgers – The Architect of David Bowie’s Pop Triumph
O
- Ola Hudson – Fashion Designer and Stylist Influencing David Bowie’s Glam Era
P
- Pablo Rosario – Percussion The Dimond Dogs Tour
- Page Hamilton: guitar Hours Tour
- Pat Gibbons – Tour Manager in David Bowie’s 1976 Touring Era
- Pat Metheny Group – This Is Not America” (1985)
- Paul Buckmaster – Arranger on David Bowie’s Space Oddity
- Paul Rodrigues – Tenor saxophonist and trumpet player in The Manish Boys
- Pedro Ortiz – Percussion at Live Aid 1985
- Pet Shop Boys – Chris Lowe, Hallo Spaceboy and Bowie Connections
- Pete De Somogyl: bass guitar The Arnold Corns
- Peter Frampton – Guitarist and Musical Director on David Bowie’s Glass-Spider Tour
- Peter Hall – Theatre Director and Early Artistic Influence on David Bowie
- Peter Schwartz: synthesizer Outside Tour
- Phil Lancaster – Drums in David Bowie’s mod band The Lower Third from 1965
- Phil Manzanera: guitar, vocals Royal Albert Hall, London 29-5-2006
- Pimm Jal de la Parra – Author, Bowie researcher, fan historian > “Book David Bowie The Concert Tapes”
- Pixies – They are an influential American alternative rock band, founded in 1986.
- Placebo – Collaboration between Bowie and Placebo on ‘Without You I’m Nothing’.
Q
R
- Ralph Horton – management David Bowie and The Buzz
- Reeves Gabrels – guitarist in David Bowie’s band Tin Machine
- Richard Cottle: keyboards, saxophone, tambourine, vocals Glass Spider Tour
- Richard Grando: saxophone, flute Diamond Dogs Tour
- Richard Wright: keyboards, vocals Royal Albert Hall, London 29-5-2006
- Rick Fox: keyboards, vocals Sound + Vision Tour
- Rick Wakeman – Virtuoso Keyboardist in David Bowie’s Early Classics
- Riot Squad, The – David Bowie’s Transitional R&B Rock Band during 1967
- Robert (Bob) Allen – Drummer for Davie Jones And The King Bees, one of Bowie’s earliest bands in 1964
- Roger Bluck – lead guitar King Bees
- Robert Fripp – Guitar Innovator and Key David Bowie Collaborator
- Robert Smith – Songwriter and defining presence of The Cure,
- Robin Clark – The Astronettes and The Diamond Dogs Tour
- Robin Lumley: piano David Bowie and the Spiders From Mars
- Rocky Shahan – Bassist in The Kon-rads and Early David Jones Bandmat
- Rod ‘Rook’ Davis – Guitar in The Riot Squad
- Roger Bluck – Lead guitar Davie Jones and the King Bees
- Roger Ferris – Vocalist in David Bowie’s First Band The Konrads
- Roger Powell – keyboards, synthesizer, vocals Isolar II – The 1978 World Tour
- Roger Taylor – Queen Drummer and Collaborator on “Under Pressure” with David Bowie
- Romy Haag – Berlin Cabaret Star and David Bowie Collaborator
- Roy Bittan – Piano on Bowie’s Station to Station and Scary Monsters
- Rudi Valentino aka Freddie Burretti – Arnold Corns and Early Ziggy
- Russell Velazquez – Singer, Composer and Bowie Circle Connection
S
- Sarah-Rena Hine – A former journalist and personal assistant
- Scott Walker – Singer, Composer and Profound Influence on David Bowie
- Sean Mayes – Keyboardist on David Bowie’s 1978 World Tour and Lodger Era
- Simms Brothers ,The – Key backing vocalists during David Bowie’s ‘Let’s Dance’ era
- Simon House – Electric violin Isolar II – The 1978 World Tour
- Sonic Youth – Pioneering Alternative Rock and Bowie Connection
- Spiders from Mars – David Bowie’s backing band in the early 1970s
- Stacy Heydon: lead guitar: vocals Isolar – 1976 Tour
- Stan Harrison – Saxophonist and Woodwind Player for David Bowie
- Stella Patton – Vocalist with The Konrads
- Sterling Campbell – David Bowie’s Longtime Live Drummer and percussion
- Steve DiStanislao: drums, vocals Royal Albert Hall, London 29-5-2006
- Steve Elson – Saxophonist and Woodwind Player for David Bowie
- Tessa Niles, Helena Springs: vocals Serious Moonlight
- Stevie Ray Vaughan – “Without You” (1983)
- Susan Sarandon – The Hunger and the David Bowie Collaboration
- Sydne Rome – Actress and Part of David Bowie’s Social Circle in the 1970s
T
- Terry Cox – Pentangle Drummer and David Bowie’s Space Oddity Collaborator
- Terry Burns – David Bowie’s Half-Brother
- Tessa Niles – Backing Vocalist for David Bowie at Live Aid and Dancing in the Street
- Tex Johnson: congas (occasional shows) early David Bowie
- The 1980 Floor Show – with The Spiders from Mars (aka The Midnight Special)
- The Arnold Corns – The Prototype of Ziggy Stardust (1971–1972)
- The Astronettes – David Bowie’s Backing Vocal Trio and the Shelved 1973–74 Sessions
- The Berlin Trilogy – Albums Lodger, Low and Heroes)
- The Buzz – David Bowie’s 1966 Backing Band
- The Feathers – Live Folk Trio with Bowie ,Hermione Farthingale ,John Hutchinson (1968)
- The Cure – Post-punk band
- The Hype – The Birth of the Spiders from Mars
- The Hooker Brothers/Dave’s Reds and Blues The Hooker Brothers/Dave’s Reds and Blues
- The King Bees – David Bowie’s First Recording Band (1964)
- The Konrads – David Bowie’s First Band ,originally “The Kon-rads”
- The Lower Third – The most important groups in David Bowie’s pre-fame years
- The Manish Boys – David Bowie’s Early R&B Band (1964–1965)
- The Midnight Special – aka 1980 Floor Show
- Mott The Hoople – Glam Rock Band and David Bowie Collaboration
- The Riot Squad – David Bowie’s Transitional 1967 Band
- The Simms Brothers – Key backing vocalists for David Bowie
- The Spiders from Mars – The band that brought the Ziggy Stardust persona to life on stage.
- The Velvet Underground – One of the most influential bands in the history of rock music
- Thom Verlaine (aka Thomas James Miller) – American musician, poet, and songwriter
- Thomas Dolby – keyboards and synthesisers at Live Aid 1985
- Thurston Moore – co-founder of Sonic Youth
- Tim Lefebvre – Bas Guitar Donny McCaslin Group
- Tim Renwick – Guitarist on Space Oddity
- Tin Machine – David Bowie’s Radical Band Experiment (1988–1992)
- Tina Turner – Tonight and the 1985 Collaboration
- Tim Broadbent: drums The Arnold Corns
- Tim Renwick: David Bowie Guitarist and Trusted Collaborator
- Tom Parker – piano (one show) David Bowie and Mick Ronson in 1971
- Thomas Dolby: keyboards, synthesisers Serious Moonlight
- Tony Defries – Business manager during the rise of Ziggy Stardust
- Tony Hill – vocals, guitar in Turquoise
- Tony Kaye – Keyboardist Isolar – 1976 Tour
- Tony Newman – drums The Diamond Dogs Tour
- Tony Sales – (Tony Fox Sales) Tin Machine
- Tony Thompson – drums, percussion Serious Moonlight
- Tony Visconti – David Bowie’s Sonic Architect and Longtime Producer
- Tony Zanetta – Bowie Insider, Tour Manager and MainMan Figure
- Trent Reznor Outside Tour (1995–1996)
- Trevor Bolder – Bassist of the Spiders from Mars and Ziggy Stardust Era
- Turquoise – Bowie’s Transitional 1960s Band Before Space Oddity
V
- Velvet Underground, The – Foundational Influence on David Bowie, Glam and Punk
- Viv Andrews – Drums The Hooker Brothers /Dave’s Reds and Blues
W
- Warren Peace (Geoff MacCormack) – Backing vocals The Diamond Dogs Tour
- William S. Burroughs – Literary Radical and Bowie’s Intellectual Counterpart
- Willie Weeks – Bass guitar The Diamond Dogs Tour
- Woolf Byrne – Baritone saxophone in The Manish Boys
Z
- Zach Danziger – drummer in Donny McCaslin Group
- Zachary Alford – Bowie Drummer for Outside, Earthling and The Next Day
- Zowie (Duncan Jones) – Film Director and Son of David Bowie